Rodney Hawkins Reflects on Coleman's Basketball Journey with the Fighting Illini

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 16, 2024

In an exclusive interview with IlliniGuys, Rodney Hawkins, the father of the versatile Illinois center 6-foot-10 forward Coleman Hawkins, sheds light on his son's basketball journey. Standing at 6-foot-8, Rodney, who played high school basketball at Chicago Vocational (CVS) and Division I basketball at San Diego State, shares insights into his own career and the hands-off approach he adopted in guiding Coleman's path.

"I took the hands-off approach for Coleman. I want it to be his journey; I had my career and let . . .

 

Premium Members Only. Please Subscribe To View The Full Article

  • One-stop destination for Illini sports news, analysis and interactive contents.
  • Weekly podcasts including "Sturdy for 30" and "I on the Illini"
  • Illini Guys Zoom Calls" during games and special events
  • Special appearances by "Illini Legends" and other national sports personalities
  • Video breakdowns and game analysis
  • Owned, managed and run by diehard Illini fans for Illini fans everywhere

Podcasts

High School Recruiting Takes the Spotlight - #482

Listen

May 16 - Hr2 - S4Ep40 - Chicago Sky, ACC Issues & Northwestern Stadium

Listen

May 16 - Hr1 - S4Ep40 - Coaching Contracts, NBA Draft, Football & Golf Updates

Listen

Bielema and Underwood Earn Contract Extensions - #481

Listen

May 9 - Hr2 - S4Ep39 - Saban, Podziemski & White Sox Struggles

Listen

May 9 - Hr1 - S4Ep39 - Illini Golf, Adkins Golf Club & Illini Recruit JC Anderson

Listen

May 2 - Hr2 - S4Ep38 - Kentucky Derby and NFL Draft Wrap

Listen

May 2 - Hr1 - S4Ep38 - Stojakovic Selects Illinois

Listen

Andrej Stojakovic Selects the Fighting Illini - #480

Listen

Apr 25 - Hr2 - S4Ep37 - Illini Spring Football with Matt Stevens

Listen

Apr 25 - Hr1 - S4Ep37 - Illini Hoops, Golf & Bears News

Listen

Serbian PG Mihailo Petrovic Commits - #479

Listen

Portal Kombat – April 21, 2025 Edition - #478

Listen

Apr 18 - Hr2 - S4Ep36 - WNBA, NFL Draft & Masters

Listen

Apr 18 - Hr1 - S4Ep36 - Portal Kombat Updates - Hoops & Gridiron

Listen

Subscriber Testimonials:

"I am a member of three different paid sites, [but] I wanted to tell you that the collective insight from the leadership of this place is second to none.  
 
It is remarkable how often I feel like I know what is going to happen before it happens. I am so appreciative of the obvious hard work that you guys are giving ....
 
You guys, in a short time, have shown me that you are the best at what you do."
Join the conversation here!

Not a member? Join our mailing list:

© 2025 LMBC Sports, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Use of any part of this site constitutes express acceptance of the Site Terms. LMBC Sports, LLC, including its Illini Guys website, is an independent media organization, and is not affiliated with the University of Illinois.